Katherine Elaine (Wicklund) Larsen, 92, died peacefully on July 26, 2009. She was born Sept. 1, 1916, in Minot, N.D., to Hjalmer “Ed” and Blanche Wicklund. She grew up in Grenora, N.D., and attended college at the University of North Dakota, majoring in the new field of social work. She met Thomas “Wes” Larsen in Seattle while she was working at Boeing during World War II and they married in 1945. After living in Northern California, Wyoming and Eastern Washington, they settled in Oak Harbor in 1964.

Elaine worked as a child social worker for Island County for many years, handling emergencies, placing foster children and arranging adoptions. She had very fond memories of the families she met through her work, many of whom have kept in touch with her for several years.

She is survived by her husband, Wes; son, Greg (Elaine) Larsen of Portland and their children, Eric and Meagan; daughter Cheryl Shaul and her children, TJ and Cody; brother Maurice (Betty) Wicklund of Michigan; niece Beth Evans and her children, Andrew and Kelly; and several other beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Donald Wicklund and Joanne Evans.

The family would like to thank Skagit Hospice and Island Home Nursing for their excellent care during her final illness. A memorial service will be held in Oak Harbor at the First Methodist Church in November at a time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to WACAP, P.O. Box 88948, Seattle, WA 98138, or Skagit Hospice Foundation at PO Box 1376, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.